Paceman Atkinson Compounds the English team's Injury Problems.
'Major setback' for the touring side as Atkinson is forced off suffering a hamstring problem.
The pace bowler further complicated England's injury problems when he left the playing area on the second morning in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series.
The right-arm seamer pulled up with his left leg immediately following a delivery that he bowled on Saturday.
The touring camp indicated Atkinson reported "discomfort" and was to take time off the field for further assessment "during the day".
The final Test in this Ashes battle in Sydney begins this coming Sunday.
The English side has already lost key quicks one seamer to a knee injury and another paceman to a side strain on the current trip.
A replacement bowler was added to the party to provide backup.
Atkinson struggled during the first two matches, claiming a mere three wickets.
He was dropped for the Adelaide match, only to be brought back for the Boxing Day match as Archer's replacement.
Atkinson improved at the MCG, claiming a couple of wickets during the host's first knock, before adding 28 as a batsman among just a trio of English batsmen who passed ten runs.
Post a single over at the end of day one, he came back on Saturday morning and removed Scott Boland Scott Boland caught behind.
However, at the end of that over, he delivered a change of pace to the batsman and promptly felt at his leg.
The English bowler returned to the side for the Boxing Day Test following his omission the previous Test.